"These promotions are part of ongoing actions to strengthen the
London and Middle East practices," says a spokesperson for White
& Case. "They are just the beginning."

According to the spokesperson, the promotions were slated for
January 2011, but were fast-tracked in light of the firms losses
over the last months, which it calls temporary setbacks. They are
continuing lateral partner searches in London that were started
since before the onset of the attritions.

The firm has been the brunt of significant speculation after the
defection of more than two dozen partners since last fall. Latham
effectively raided their London office last month, the Middle
East offices have lost office leaders, and the heads of global IT
and global mining and metals. They
sent a few New York partners overseas to fill the gaps.